Baltimore City

Girls Lacrosse

March 20, 2000|By Katherine Dunn

Bryn Mawr Mawrtians (15-2-1)

Coach: Wendy Kridel

Outlook: The Mawrtians return all but two starters from the team that fell to Notre Dame Prep in last year's Association of Independent Schools A Division final. Seniors midfielders Theresa Sherry, Miles Whitman and Katie Coyne, attack Meredith Goodell and goalie Amy Price were part of a U.S. team that won the Under-19 World Cup in September. Add to that last year's leading scorer Tara Hardiman (45 goals, 20 assists) and the Mawrtians are pretty loaded. The Mawrtians are the team to beat in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference.

Catholic Cubs (5-6)

Coach: Mary Ann Sattler

Outlook: The Cubs lost just three starters but find themselves in a tougher conference this year in the IAAM B. Attack Sarah Cook and midfield defender Katierose Reigger return experience and leadership. There are also several good freshmen. Sattler's goal is to finish .500.

Outlook: The two-time defending city champs should pick up right where they left off, but they don't have as many girls back as Kesmodel, last year's All-Baltimore City/County Coach of the Year, expected. Several starters did not return and G Krystin Weaver's status is uncertain due to a hip injury. However, several of the city league's top players return -- M Erika Brown (81 goals, 18 assists), US Lacrosse's pick for City Player of the Year the last two years; A Jessica Shipley (51, 15) and A Peanut Washington (42, 6).

Friends Quakers (4-9-3)

Coach: Carol Samuels

Outlook: The Quakers struggled in the AIS A Division last year and with the loss of their top two scorers, could be in for more of the same in the IAAM A Conference. Returning G Ashley Bastinelli is a bright spot, but she likely will be tested often. Although 11 players return, there are a lot of statistics to make up for. Sophomore A Emily Condlin leads the offense.

IND Indians (7-8)

Coach: Mary Beth Bollinger

Outlook: The Indians are planning to challenge for the IAAM B Division title with a quick, fundamentally solid squad. They could, however, be in a tight race with Park, Seton Keough and Spalding. Led by M Jessa Karko, M Katie Dewberry and A Lauren Cunningham, the Indians will be more balanced on attack this season. Kim Breitenother is the top defensive returnee.

Mercy Magic (9-5-1)

Coach: Joy Lewandowski

Outlook: The Magic jumped into the AIS A Division last season and made a big move, ending up with the No. 14 ranking. Kristi Korrow, Tara Singleton, Kaitie Schuyler and Katie Chrest return to a top-notch midfield unit. Only five starters graduated and the bench is strong. After gaining confidence last year, the Magic will take aim at the IAAM A Conference's elite teams this spring.

Patterson Clippers (2-9)

Coach: Suzanne Austin

Outlook: In her second season, Austin has built the Clippers into one of the biggest teams in the city with 21 players. Now, she's ready to make them more competitive. With 10 players back, plenty of speed and improving skills, the Clippers have an excellent chance to improve on last year's record. Look for much of the scoring to come from senior attackers Mandy McNeil and sisters Tanesha and Tamesha Chester.

Poly Engineers (6-5)

Coach: Bob Wood

Outlook: Six starters return for the Engineers including A Sarah Begle, D Elena Spitzer, M Alice Fortino, A Nicole Hare and M Rhiannon Feely. Wood, who carries 17 players on the roster, also has some promising youngsters. If the veterans help bring the inexperienced players along and they jell quickly, the Engineers should be in for another season over .500.

Roland Park Reds (14-2-2)

Coach: Tara Kramer

Outlook: The Reds lost eight starters to graduation, so Kramer is looking to a lot of non-starters who saw plenty of action to keep the Reds in the IAAM A Conference race. Several top players return including D Kelsey Twist (18 goals, nine assists) and G Meghan McInnes, veterans of the U.S. Under-19 team as well as M Caline McHenry and A Allison Higgins (20, four). The Reds will need leadership from those four and contributions from their talented young players to remain near the top of a conference in which several teams are on the rise.

Outlook: Bell, former coach at St. Paul's, returns to the high school ranks after 12 years of coaching lacrosse at CCBC-Essex. With nine players back, including M Maureen Carver, A Cindy Badley, A Kerry Sokol, D Kim Keene, the enthusiastic Bell will try to rejuvenate the Gators program. The Gators drop from the AIS A Division to the IAAM B Conference, where they should be competitive in a wide-open field.

Western Doves (N/A)

Coach: Debbie Walker

Outlook: The Doves lost only three seniors and return more skill than they have in the past, so Walker is optimistic they can improve on their record. Among the returnees are M Melinda McLaughlin, M Stephanie Harkness, A Nellie Shook and D Kristen Burgess. The Doves will remain competitive in the city league, but Walker hopes to improve their showing against their Baltimore County foes.